It takes a village to raise a child. Here you'll find child and parenting resources for IU employees.
NOTE: Click the appropriate title, below, to access related information and resources.
Children & Parenting
IU Family Support & Resource Guide
The IU Family Support & Resource Guide is tailored for IU faculty, staff, and their families. You'll find information on IU benefits and leave policies, financial assistance, infant and child feeding, postpartum support, childcare, and adoption. It's also a valuable tool for colleagues and supervisors to foster a supportive and understanding work environment for parents and caregivers.
IU Benefits
Start Your Child’s Medical Coverage - As an IU Academic or Staff employee enrolled in a medical plan, eligible dependents can be enrolled in the same plan when a qualifying change in status occurs. Enrollment must take place within 30 days of birth, adoption, or legal guardianship.
Paid Parental Leave is provided to an eligible staff employee, following a birth or adoption of a child, in recognition of the importance of work + life synergy and offering parents the opportunity to bond with their new child. IU faculty, for more information on parental leave, please see Paid Family Leave for Academic Appointees.
The 24-Hour Nurse Line (dial 888-279-5449) is a resource for those enrolled in one of the IU-sponsored medical plans who need guidance on non-emergency health questions and concerns.
You can online, shop online, and you may even order food online. Now you can access a doctor online as part of your health benefit. Learn more at LiveHealth Online.
IU Tax Saver Benefit Plan - Dependent Care reimbursement accounts can save you money on eligible child care expenses.
Child Care
One of the top-priorities for working parents is finding quality care for their children. Quality child care is in high demand in many Indiana communities. It is never too soon to begin exploring child care options in your local area. Start today and get ahead.
Campus-Specific Resources
IU Bloomington
Looking for Child Care? The Campus Child Care Support office can offer assistance in finding child care on campus.
Learn more about IU Bloomington Campus Child Care Support
IU Indianapolis
Looking for Child Care? The IU Indianapolis Center for Young Children provides child care and early childhood education for the University’s diverse population as well as the Indianapolis Community.
Learn more about IU Indianapolis Center for Young Children
Child Care in the Community
Powered by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Child Care Finder helps you locate child care in Indiana.
Care.com Partnership
Indiana University partners with Care.com as a resource for finding and hiring pre-screened caregivers and care companies for child care, backup care, and more. Pre-registration is required for backup care. Child care resources include babysitters, nannies, au pairs, tutors and special needs providers.
Research shows that children’s healthy development depends on safe and positive experiences during the early years of life. If you are a parent who works during these early years, choosing good child care is one of the most important decisions you will ever make.
The Paths to Quality program provides information for choosing quality child care in Indiana.
School Age Resources
Working Parents
Indiana University provides wellness rooms to support Faculty, Staff, and Students who are lactating. Each room provides private space for lactation; however, refrigeration and storage are not available in every location.
Are you a caring adult who is ready to share your heart, time, and life with a child? There are many types of adoptions and different avenues to adopting a child that needs a loving, committed, safe and permanent home.
What to Know About Adopting in Indiana provides information and resources regarding Indiana adoption laws and requirements, types of adoptions available to Indiana residents, as well as insight on the Indiana adoption process.
The provision of the above mentioned link is provided as a courtesy and should not be considered as an endorsement by Indiana University of the content or views of the linked materials.
The Department of Child Services’ Indiana Adoption Program (IAP) is a statewide initiative that finds adoptive homes for Indiana’s children and older youth in foster care.
Independent adoptions usually involve infant or international adoptions and are typically handled by private adoption attorneys or agencies.
Choosing whether to use an adoption agency or attorney can be somewhat intimidating. Learn ten differences between adopting through an agency or attorney.
Helpful Information
Whether adopting through the Indiana Adoption Program or an agency, federal and state laws require certain actions to take place prior to finalizing the adoption. Legal Issues in Adoption, provided by the Department of Child Services, discusses the legal aspects of adoptions that every prospective adoptive parent needs to know.
Adoption Agency Information & Rates
Post-adoptive services are available and within reach to support Indiana adoptive families. Learn more about the services available in your area and updates to consider regarding your employment benefits.
Few changes in life are as significant as welcoming a new child into your family. For all working parents, learning to navigate work and family responsibilities is both intricate and fulfilling. Here are 4 tips for a smoother transition back to work.
Be kind to yourself
This is rule No. 1. Your whole life has changed, and finding your “new normal” as a working parent will take time -- and some trial and error. Be kind and gentle with yourself through this journey.
Get familiar with the policies
Start at the source. Understanding the policies is the first step in crafting a plan for parental leave and your return to work. For questions about how these policies might affect you, contact your departmental HR representative or AskHR.
Communicate with your supervisor
Get and stay on the same page. As early as you feel comfortable, communicate with your supervisor about the timeline of your upcoming life event. It might be a good idea to discuss these topics: leave and return dates, projects to be covered, how you will inform your supervisor once the baby has arrived, and set expectations for communications during your leave.
Explore Child Care Options in Your Community
One of the top-priorities for working parents is finding quality care for their children. Quality child care is in high demand in many Indiana communities. It is never too soon to begin exploring child care options in your local area. Start today and get ahead.